Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy has said that he has no personal interest in the inspection he carried out in Vishwabharathi Layout in Girinagar on Friday.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said the residents had complained to him about various issues, including lack of basic amenities in the layout. “The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has no jurisdiction over the layout as it is under the control of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). Yet, the civic body has spent a lot of money to provide basic facilities.”
Mr. Murthy said that the members and residents had levelled allegations against the society and stated that it should be superseded by the government. “I only assured them of informing the government about their request. However, the society has placed an advertisement in a leading Kannada daily and defamed me. I have filed a complaint with the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police.”
He said that as the society had defamed the Mayor’s position as well, he would urge BBMP Commissioner to file a defamation case against it. Distancing himself from the controversy, he claimed that neither he nor his family members were associated with the society, nor did they have any land interests.
About the special subject meeting that was scheduled on Monday and later cancelled, he said that he had no personal interest in holding the meeting.
The BBMP council had passed a resolution to hold a special subject meeting to clear the files pending with the various standing committees.